Lexington health department recommending Hep A vaccine for all residents

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is now recommending hepatitis A vaccination for everyone in the county.

The health department is making the recommendation as the number of cases in the region and throughout the state continues to climb.

The health departments say Lexington now has 12 cases related to the statewide outbreak, which is up to more than 1,620 across Kentucky with 86 counties affected.

There have been 13 deaths associated with the outbreak, and 56 percent of the cases involved hospitalization.

The hepatitis A vaccination is now required for all children who attend school or child care in Kentucky.

Since the statewide outbreak began in November 2017, the health department has targeted the hepatitis A vaccine for high-risk populations, including homeless people, people with substance abuse disorders and people in detention centers.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is usually spread when a person unknowingly eats or drinks something contaminated by small amounts of stool from an infected person. Washing your hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper or before making food and drinks can help stop the spread of hepatitis A.

Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention. People may have some or none of these symptoms. People can become ill 15-50 days after being exposed to the virus. Someone sick with hepatitis A is most likely to spread the virus during the 2 weeks before feeling sick and for 1 week after yellow eyes and skin starts. Children often do not exhibit symptoms. Although rare, death can occur from this infection.